A Feast for the Senses at Ludlow Fringe Festival

Ludlow really comes alive in June with the brilliant Ludlow Fringe Festival. The festival, which in 2024 runs from Thursday 13th to Sunday 23rd June, is a feast for the senses with an eclectic mix of Shakespeare, comedy, dance, theatre, workshops, carnival and magic. This year the theme is Love, with performances of Romeo & Juliet at Ludlow Castle being one of the highlights.

Ludlow Fringe Festival 2024 Highlights

Here are our picks for the best of the many events taking place. For more information and to book tickets, go to https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/events/category/fringe/

June 22nd, 19:30 - Jo Brand in conversation with Alistair McGowan

A wonderful chance to hear BAFTA winner Jo Brand talk about her incredible career in the company of Alistair McGowan. Jo has been appearing on our screens over the last five decades. She has seen every side of the comedy world and, after initially having to win over some mean, stubborn, male, mainstream critics, Jo is now known and loved throughout the country. There is little in showbusiness that Jo hasn’t done and few people she hasn’t met!

June 13th-23rd - Flabbergast Theatre in Romeo & Juliet at Ludlow Castle

A tragedy full of laughter and tears, beautiful poetry, bawdy jokes and some impressive swashbuckling to boot, expect live music, clowning, mask work and a thoroughly enjoyable evening for all…

June 19th, 19:30 - An Evening of Sea Shanty Shenanigans at Ludlow Brewery, with local contemporary shanty groups Press Gangers and The Lower Deckers.

Press Gangers: A shanty band based around the port of Presteigne – this salty crew of singers and musicians entertain and raise money for charities with a varied repertoire of sea shanties and Irish tunes, guaranteed to have you singing along!

The Lower Deckers: Speaking from first-hand experience (Clare saw them last September), The Lower Deckers are a fun, contemporary shanty group hailing from Shropshire and Herefordshire. Established in 2017, they perform regularly in festivals, pubs and cafes. They are keen charity fundraisers, regularly holding gigs to raise funds for the RNLI and local charities. The Lower Deckers repertoire embraces traditional Shanties, songs of the sea & sailing, folk songs and more. Expect to be up on your dancing feet!

June 23rd, 16:00 - Circus Raj

Rajasthan’s elite street circus, presenting the best of India’s performers from the legendary entertainment communities. Featuring Iran, the incredible gravity-defying acrobat and Govinda, the fakir with his jaw-dropping skills!

The cast of aerialists, acrobats, musicians, slack-rope walkers, dancers and puppeteers and the eye-watering displays by their fakir, present a colourful, vibrant, fast-moving extravaganza of intrigue, drama, feats of daring, music, laughter and surprise.

Their past tours have taken them across the country, including Glastonbury where they will be heading straight after this show in Ludlow!

June 21st, 17:30 - James Wright - Historic Building Mythbusting

Go to any ancient building in Shropshire and the Welsh Marches and there will be interesting, exciting, and romantic stories presented to the visitor. They are commonly believed and widely repeated – but are they really true?

These stories include those of secret passages linking ancient buildings, spiral staircases in castles giving advantage to right-handed defenders, ship timbers used in the construction of buildings on land, blocked doors in churches which are thought to keep the Devil out and claims to be the oldest pub in the region.

James will explain the development of such myths and investigate the underlying truths behind them. Sometimes the realities hiding behind the stories are even more interesting, romantic, and exciting than the myth itself…

Get Fringe Fever

The Ludlow Fringe Festival is more than just an arts festival; it's a celebration of creativity, community, and culture set against the backdrop of one of England’s most beautiful towns. Whether you're a seasoned festival-goer or a first-time visitor, book a stay with us at The School House B&B, pack your bags, and get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of the Ludlow Fringe Festival!

All information about the events is taken from the Ludlow Fringe website and social media posts.